NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION: To preserve the natural and cultural heritage of El Charco del Ingenio, and maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, with a primary focus on environmental education.

If there is any hope for the world at all, it does not live in climate-change conference rooms or in cities with tall buildings. It lives low down on the ground, with its arms around the people who go to battle every day to protect their forests, their mountains and their rivers because they know that the forests, the mountains and the rivers protect them.

–Arundhati Roy, Indian writer and activist

2016: 25th Anniversary of El Charco

It seems so long ago that a small group of people, some from San Miguel and others from farther away, Mexicans and foreigners, gathered around a common purpose that seemed so outrageous. There was a dual purpose: first, rescue from urban sprawl a ravine next to the city, known since ancient times as El Charco del Ingenio, which still was a natural and extraordinary landscape, with traces and memories of centuries of local history; and in this magnificent territory also create a botanical garden dedicated to the flora of desert and sem-desert areas of Mexico, home to numerous plant species and communities at risk of disappearing. The common dream found the appropriate support and driving forces, and became a non-profit, independent, social project and, little by little, but not without difficulty, self-sustaining.

There have been many who have felt the pulse and the importance of this project and who have been captivated by the magic of this beautiful natural area. And they have generously joined over the years by offering their resources, knowledge, skills and efforts to promote the preservation and flowering of this wonderful little piece of the planet we have in San Miguel de Allende. It is time to offer a heartfelt thanks to the entire community of sentient beings who have supported the project of El Charco for 25 years.

Despite its strengths, El Charco faces challenges whose solutions are uncertain. Some are emerging as threats to the wildlife of the site, such as urban sprawl and increasing environmental pollution of ground and surface water in the basin. Another challenge has to do with the ability of the Botanical Garden to maintain and increase its self-financing capacity without compromising the principles that have allowed it to be what it is. As a community and independent project, El Charco necessarily requires the financial support of various sectors of society. We hope this conservation project will continue for the next 25 years – and more!

WELLS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE AQUIFER

Continuing on the subject of aquifers from our last newsletter, we know that the opening of new wells in our region and the failure to respect the closures that have existed since the 60s, and extraction volumes greater than those permitted in the concessions already granted, are causing problems in the quality and quantity of water that reaches our homes now.
An aquifer can cover a large area, depending on the geology of the site where it is located. That is why the same aquifer can supply many users via drilled wells. To put it more graphically: imagine a bowl full of water to which you put a straw and then "sip" a certain amount of liquid; if in that same bowl we introduce two or three or four or more straws, and the same amount of water and people take water in different amounts from their respective straws, what would happen? Not only will the bowl eventually run out of water, but the water will have been used in an unequal manner.

This is exactly what is happening in the aquifer that provides the lifeblood to the entire northern region of Guanajuato, in which San Miguel is located. The opening of new wells is no longer viable, much less the extraction of water for purposes other than the basic supply to the population as a human right. Some people and entrepreneurs argue that having their own wells on their land makes the water sustainable and it can be extracted without considering that water is shared and belongs to everyone, and that the priority is not industry, agricultural exports or recreational businesses, but the survival of the population which depends on it. Is this not so?

TV COVERAGE OF CONTAMINATION OF THE AQUIFER IN NORTHERN GUANAJUATO

THE PLANTS IN EL CHARCO’S COLLECTION

Echinocactus platyacanthus. Giant barrel cactus.

This is the largest species of barrel cactus in Mexico, and has a wide distribution in the central highlands, from Coahuila south to Puebla. The huge pleated stems can reach 3m in height and 2.5m in width and can live for several hundreds of years. It is normally solitary, but damage to the stems can cause them to branch and form groups. Like other globular species, it has a woolly top, where the yellow flowers are formed in summer, and later, the dry leathery fruits containing black seeds appear.

It is sometimes used to make cactus candy, and in the dry season, plants may be decapitated by herdsmen to allow their stock to eat the watery flesh. Both these practices kill the plant, and account for its reduced populations in some areas. This plant is not native to El Charco, although still abundant at the northeast arid zones in the state of Guanajuato.

El Charco shelters several introduced specimens –one of them of big size and old age-- mainly in the area of rescued plants. They were rescued in 1991 by the Botanical Garden from road building in the Tierra Blanca municipality.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE SCULPTURE AT EL CHARCO ADVANCES

As we've reported in previous issues of this Newsletter, El Charco has, as part of its attractions, a panoramic sculpture designed by renowned German artist Wilhelm Holderied, whose work is characterized by a creative and dynamic dialogue with nature (ttp://www.wilhelm-holderied.de/index.php/index.html). In late November construction of the sculpture began by placing the "first stone".

The project generously offered by the artist is a structure, integrated into the natural landscape, in the shape of a maze, which is also a celestial observatory of major astronomical dates. "The House of Starlight" will be the name of this structure interacting with the native vegetation of the Garden, which will join the rest of the attractions of El Charco. In addition to this generous offer by the artist Holderied, fundraising efforts and construction of the project will be supported by external developers, such as Sergio Cházaro and Eduardo Adame. Phyllis Pitluga, astronomer emeritus of the Chicago Planetarium and Marco Barrera, curator and renowned museographer, will also advise on the project. We hope to inaugurate this monumental sculpture for the autumn equinox in 2016 as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Botanical Garden.

JANUARY ACTIVITIES

LECTURE OF THE MONTH: WILD FLOWERS OF SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

By David Tarrant
Saturday, January 23rd / 11am
Bóveda, Language: English
Cost 70 pesos members, 100 pesos general public

An illustrated talk taking us on some hikes in and around San Miguel highlighting the diverse flora of the area.

Normally our wildflowers start to appear late May early June with the arrival of late spring early summer thunderstorms. Bursting in colour during August and September.

The slides will include many taken in El Charco del Ingenio, along with others from the Picachos and the Biological Reserve Joya La Barreta.

Come and see how amazing the flowers are around here during the summer rainy season. David was born in the UK and trained in horticulture there. He emigrated to Canada in 1967 and worked as Head Gardener at Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies in1968 and 1969. Tarrant joined the staff of the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden in November 1969 where he spent the rest of his working life for just over 37 years, initially as a gardener. In 1974 he became Education Coordinator and later moved on to be Public Relations Officer. During those years he was involved with community gardening projects. Tarrant was host of the CBC National Gardening Show, the Canadian Gardener, for 17 years. He has written 4 gardening books, been a newspaper gardening columnist, and still writes articles for GardenWise Magazine. He has led 30 overseas Garden Tours.

Since 2007 David has been happily retired in San Miguel de Allende. A highly respected horticultural expert, he is in demand locally and internationally as a public speaker and this presentation will fill quickly.

Bird-watching Tours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am. English Cost: 100 pesos general public | 60 pesos El Charco members
Guides include Signe Hammer, Norman Besman, Luke Rich and Michael Wheatcroft.
The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time. Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

Come and bird watch with us – you’ll be surprised!!

TOURS IN SPANISH available. Saturday 10 & 24th, at 8a.m.

Info.:charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

Guided Tours in El Charco

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am| in English
Duration: two hours Cost: $80 pesos, members $50

Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.

Don’t forget the free transportation from town to El Charco on these days.

THE FULL MOON CEREMONY

Saturday, January 23rd at 6p.m.| admission 30pesos

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings and you may bring a musical instrument.

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.
The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

We suggest bringing a flashlight for when you go from the temazal to the reception

FREE TRANSPORTATION TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN FROM THE HISTORICAL CENTER

COMING TO EL CHARCO BY TAXI?

Some of visitors use taxis for transportation to the Botanical Garden. However, some may have doubts about how to return to town. We remind all our visitors and users that El Charco has an agreement with radio taxis company of San Miguel for safe transfer from El Charco to the center or other parts of the city. Just ask for a taxi at the reception Garden. The fee for the return trip is 60 pesos-a little more than one-way fare to Charco from the center, which should not be more than 40 pesos. We recommend you and the driver agree on the fare before boarding the taxi.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Throughout its existence, El Charco has published several books and pamphlets in Spanish and English, on flora and natural resources of the reserve and the region of San Miguel de Allende. To these, other publications by researchers and scientific institutions on related subjects have been added. All are issues of great interest and quality, and are on sale at the Gift Shop.

Click on the book for more information about it.

At the Cafeteria…

Our most recent human visitors have noticed a significant number of hummingbirds hovering around the tables in the cafeteria at the Botanical Garden. These are mainly our two resident species: the broad-billed hummingbird and the violet-crowned hummingbird. Both species are perfectly adapted to the changing conditions in the habitat in which we find ourselves; however, the decline of seasonal flowers makes them look for alternative food sources: the sweet juice of prickly pears which other birds have been opened or, in this case, the feeders which have been placed for them in this area of the Garden.

Do not miss this amazing show, in which the dominant violet-crowned defend the precious nectar from their competitors, the broad-billed hummingbirds - while enjoying a delicious coffee or other goodies. See you there!